The best lakes to live on in Florida can offer an incredible lifestyle for people who want to wake up to water views. For many people, living on a lake is an absolute dream. Lakefront living provides easy access to water recreation activities, which can significantly increase the quality of life.
Waterfront living creates a fun lifestyle of leisure, relaxation, and recreation. Many people who live or move to the Sunshine State desire to be on the Gulf or Atlantic. However, Florida also has many lakes that are perfect for waterfront living. The state has many amazing communities on the lakes; below are the most popular lakes to live on in Florida.
Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee is Florida’s most famous lake and the most desired lake to live on in Florida. The incredible lake is Florida’s most well-known because of its massive size. It’s the largest lake in Florida and the second-largest freshwater lake in the United States. Lake Okeechobee is a boaters and anglers paradise. Many people who live directly on Lake Okeechobee are anglers, as the lake is known for some of the best fishing in the country. It’s a prime fishing location to catch speckled perch and largemouth bass.
People living near Lake Okeechobee know it’s the perfect spot for people who want a lifestyle on the water. The Lake is in the perfect location, just miles from everything that Treasure Coast real estate offers. Residents of Lake Okeechobee get the best of both worlds: easy access to Lake Okeechobee and proximity to the best beaches in Florida. The lake is also close to metro areas with lots of shopping, recreation, and culture.
Lake Okeechobee is an incredible choice for waterfront real estate, especially for people planning to retire or who want a tranquil life. The charming area perfectly blends comfort, peacefulness, and beauty. There are many single-family homes in and around Lake Okeechobee and empty lots for sale to build a dream home or small lake house. Lake Okeechobee is the best lake to live on in Florida.
Blue Cypress Lake
Beautiful Blue Cypress Lake is located in Vero Beach, Florida, the largest lake in Indian River County and the origin of the gorgeous Saint Johns River. Blue Cypress Lake offers a waterfront retreat for people who want to be in the heart of the Treasure Coast. The lake is stunning and surrounded by majestic cypress trees.
Most of the area around the lake is undeveloped, creating a naturally beautiful location. Blue Cypress Lake embodies what people love about living in Vero Beach, and is a wonderful place to live or camp. The lake is also a great place to fish and a major attraction on the Treasure Coast for its largemouth bass. The lake is full of catfish, bluegill, black crappie, redear sunfish, and other fish species.
There are affordable homes on Blue Cypress Lake and in the surrounding community. Most properties around Blue Cypress Lake are small, single-family lake homes. Residents on or near Blue Cypress Lake have easy access to the Blue Cypress Conservation Area and are just minutes away from everything Vero Beach, Florida, offers. Blue Cypress Lake is a hidden gem and one of the top places to live on the lakefront in Florida.
Lake Tohopekaliga
Lake Tohopekaliga, also known as Lake Toho, is half the size of Lake Okeechobee at 23,000 acres. It is the seventh-largest lake in the Sunshine State and is a world-class fishing spot for monster bass. Because of its shallow depth, Lake Toho was named one of the best places to fish in the country.
Many areas surrounding Lake Tohopekaliga are undeveloped, creating a beautiful natural paradise. Residential homes and developments are located on the west side of the lake. Homes with water views on Lake Toho start in the 700K range but are well worth the price for stunning views of the marshlands and lake. It's far from one of Florida's richest neighborhoods but offers higher-end real estate options for lakefront properties.
Buyers looking for a budget-friendly and affordable option should consider homes on nearby Lake Rosalie. It’s possible to purchase acreage on Lake Rosalie for under $100K and properties for a little higher. Both lakes are located in Kissimmee, known for its proximity to Orlando. Kissimmee has a lot to offer and is a family-friendly community.
Crescent Lake
Crescent Lake is a magical place. It's surrounded by quiet, charming small towns, but most people who live on the lake live in Crescent City, Florida. Crescent City is a humble community with a tiny population of only 1600 people. The town is small enough for a strong, tight-knit community. It’s a small town with a proud agricultural heritage, home to some popular tiny home communities, and a slow pace of life.
The region surrounding Crescent Lake is filled with smaller lakes, providing ample opportunities to buy homes with water views. Waterfront living is accessible to locals and transplants in the Crescent Lake area. Crescent Lake offers some of the most affordable living costs in Florida. It’s the perfect place for people looking for a life on the lake.
Lake Conway
Lake Conway is a pretty lake in Orlando, Florida, known for its clear water and fun sandbar. The lake has two public boat ramps for launching and docking. Due to its calm waters, it’s the perfect place for a leisurely sunset cruise. Lake Conway is surrounded by a lovely residential community, making it the perfect place to enjoy lakefront living.
Homes on Lake Conway start in the $500K range. However, purchasing a townhome or condominium on Lake Conway is possible for a more affordable and budget-friendly price. People on Lake Conway are just minutes from downtown Orlando, Florida, with easy access to the central business district and all the fun entertainment options and theme parks Orlando offers. Orlando is also among the best cities in the Sunshine State for young professionals. Lake Conway is a great place for city living, with easy access to multiple incredible lakes and lakefront living.
Lake Apopka
Living on Lake Apopka requires a move to Winter Garden, Florida. Winter Garden is a quiet suburban city not far from Orlando. The town was established in the 1850s by settlers who realized that the ground bordering Lake Apopka was fertile and rich, making it an ideal place to build a life.
Winter Garden is considered one of the best suburbs in Orlando for raising a family. There are many affordable retirement communities nearby, and the downtown area is clean and safe. The city frequently hosts events to build a strong community. Additionally, multiple new schools have been built in the area, making it an excellent spot for families with little ones.
Lake Apopka is Florida’s fourth-largest lake. It is a great place to find gators, eagles, otters, and many other species. The lake is also famous among birders. Homes with direct lake access to Lake Apopka start in the $800K range. Buyers who want a cheaper home can buy a home blocks from the lake for significantly less. Lake Apopka is a great option for people searching for the best lake in Florida to live on.
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Lake Placid
Lake Placid is a stunning lake in the heart of Florida. It's surrounded by many smaller, incredible lakes, including Lake June, Lake Winter, Lake Josephine, and Lake Jackson. The area is home to some of Florida’s best lakes and a top place to buy a house on a lake.
Lake Placid is a beautiful, quiet town and is a great way to escape from the stress of the city. The town is part of the greater metro of Sebring, Florida. The area has many outdoor activities, from fishing to boating, and is full of boutique shops, nice restaurants, and colorful murals. The area also has a great farmers market that sells local goods, plants, and fresh produce. Lake Placid does not have a lot of job opportunities, so it’s ideal for remote workers and retirees. Many luxurious homes are for sale around Lake Placid and Sebring, Florida. Buyers on a budget can find cheap houses for sale on the smaller lakes nearby. The area is a fantastic place to buy homes with lake views on the water.
Lake George
Lake George is a shallow brackish lake off the Saint Johns River. The lake contains striped bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, and redear sunfish. People enjoy fishing and boating on the calm, shallow water. The waters are usually tranquil with a gentle breeze. It’s the kind of lake perfect for a pontoon boat adventure.
Several towns surround Lake George, including Salt Springs, Georgetown, and Seville. Salt Springs and Georgetown are unincorporated areas of Florida and very rural. Seville is also small, with a population of only 1300 people. The towns offer a quiet and rural lifestyle away from it all. Homes directly on Lake George start in the $700K range, while homes on Lake Kerr start in the $200K range. Both lakes offer a peaceful oasis of easy living.
Lake Tarpon
Lake Tarpon is located in Pinellas County and is a fantastic lake for a waterfront lifestyle. Although the lake is relatively small, at only 2,500 acres, it still provides plenty of space for boating, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and other water activities. The lake is surrounded by many beautiful homes that range in price. Living directly on Lake Tarpon is pricey, but many affordable homes, townhouses, and condos are within walking distance.
Many homes for sale around Lake Tarpon are in Palm Harbor, Florida. Palm Harbor is a fantastic suburb of Tampa with great museums, restaurants, shopping, and nightlife. Lake Tarpon is in a great location between Clearwater and Saint Petersburg. Residents of Lake Tarpon are a ten-mile drive from Tampa, Florida. The lake offers a beautiful retreat away from the city noise. The prime location makes Lake Tarpon a top place for lakefront living in Florida.
Lake Harris
Lake Harris is a large lake that spans over 13,000 acres and is part of the Harris Chain of Lakes. The Florida Harris Chain of Lakes includes big and little Harris, Griffin, Eustis, Beauclair, Carlton, and Dora. The lakes cover nearly 50,000 acres of land and offer great options for lake-view living. Like other Florida lakes, Lake Harris is known for its bass fishing, abundant wildlife, and beautiful marshlands.
Many homes are for sale around Lake Harris, including luxurious homes that cost millions and budget-friendly options blocks away from the lake. People who want a lakefront lifestyle in Lake Harris can choose between Leesburg or Taveras, Florida. Tavares, Florida, has a population of 20,000 people. The city is known as America’s ‘Seaplane City’ due to its seaplane base, which was opened more than a decade ago to reinvigorate business and tourist activity in the city. Tavares is a friendly place with many parks, museums, vintage markets, and seafood restaurants. Leesburg, Florida, is also a part of the Harris Chain of Lakes. Leesburg is a small town with a diverse community. The city has activities for people of all ages, including plenty of festivals, restaurants, and a performing arts center. Lake Harris is the second-best lake to live on in Florida.
